2015 Friday -- Christmas Night

For some families Christmas Eve is the grand celebration moment; for others, Christmas morning brings the celebration. Here at "Funville," Christmas night seems to provide the fullest of the festivities.

This evening the newest member of the family, our great-granddaughter little Jade Estella born 6 weeks ago on November 16th, was the main focus of attention. Jade, her mommy, (our second granddaughter) Desiree & daddy, Justin (both not pictured), are all here from Missouri, and big brother, Tristan, is here from the mountain community of Big Bear where he lives with his dad.

Also here is our daughter Deidre (pronounced Dee-dra). She currently lives with us. And Deidre's daughter, our oldest granddaughter, Ashly (with the redhair).

Ashly's fiance, Robert, is here. And our son-in-law John is here too. Both are not in the photos.

Our son Shawn is not here. He is currently living in Colorado. Also, Deidre & John's 23-year-old son, Emerson, is not here. He didn't feel like being with family so he skipped the moment -- makes no sense to us -- basically, it was his loss. I've occasionally explained that our photo is in the dictionary next to the term "dysfunctional family."

I've never given myself permission to skip a family holiday function. Somehow, I think my parents ingrained in me that family functions were not an option. Choosing to miss a family celebration must be a generational difference or a missing gene in the gene pool of the younger generation.

In spite of the absence of a grandson, we really did have a pretty good time, and there were some stressful moments leading up to the actual day of the holiday.

I really do like Garrison Keillor's message on families and holidays -- find it here: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/deskofgk/970908_landsend.shtml

From southern California
Merry Christmas,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka